Minn. bus driver saves special needs children from burning bus

Authorities are applauding the actions of a school bus driver in Minnesota who saved special needs children from a smoke-filled bus.

According to WCCO, driver Alfred Lewis was transporting four chidren, including two in wheelchairs, to school on Thursday morning when he noticed smoke coming from the heater.

"He pulled the bus over and immediately realized that he didn't like the smell of smoke. He got all the kids and everybody off the bus. By the time he got back, flames were coming out of the heater area up front," Police Inspector Mark Bruley said.

The New York Daily News reported that it only took minutes for the bus to become filled with smoke, but Lewis already had a drill in place and one-by-one evacuated the children from the bus and to safety.

Police said that the 59-year-old did everything right and is credited with saving each of the children’s lives.